Windsor Commercial

A company needs to form a level of trust with its clients to earn a high volume of repeat business. That’s exactly what Windsor Commercial has done for the past 14 years by delivering on its promises and being upfront and honest, Business Developer Alex Hale says.

Based in Greensboro, N.C., the company specializes in commercial construction and development services. Windsor Commercial started operations in 2003, when its parent company, Windsor Investments, wanted to form a commercial construction firm to focus on its own developments.

“The founders of Windsor Investments had always planned to build and own investments in office space, outpatient medical developments, multifamily [projects], retail and industrial, but it wasn’t until 2003 that that became a financial reality,” Hale says, noting that Windsor Investments is a track homebuilder focused on the Piedmont Triad market of North Carolina.

But in 2008, “The opportunity landscape changed,” he recalls. “We decided we were going to do a lot more third-party work with Windsor Commercial and build a business that way.

“That’s where we started to grow as a company coming out of the recession,” he says, adding that 85 percent of the company’s work today is for repeat clients. “Rarely do we have a one-and-done client.”

Keeping Close

Windsor Commercial keeps close to its customers by having a project manager by their side through the project. Instead of having them work with different estimating, buying and project management departments, “You’re working with the same point person, there is no handoff,” Hale says. “You’ve got one connection throughout the process.”

The company takes the same approach with its subcontractors, which keeps them loyal, too. “Treating everybody in the right way will ensure that they continue to work with you,” he says.

“In a smaller area like ours, we don’t have access to as many subcontractors as you would have in Charlotte, N.C., or Atlanta or Richmond, Va.,” he says. “We have to make sure we’re taking care of our relationships.”

North Carolina Construction

Windsor Commercial’s recent projects include Kirkwood Place, a mixed-use development in Greensboro. “It’s in the middle of town in a popular, young neighborhood,” Hale says.

The four-story building will feature retail space on its first level and 57 residential units in the other three floors. “The steel has been erected and second level deck has been poured, [and] wood framing has started,” he says, adding that Windsor Commercial will finish it this fall.

The company recently finished Oasis Dental, a 7,000-square-foot project in Concord, N.C. “The multilevel building has a dentist office on the first floor and a spa on the second floor,” he says, noting that its exterior incorporates several different types of fascia.

Windsor Commercial also is building a 500,000-square-foot warehouse for Alamance Foods Inc. in Burlington, N.C. “That one is 60 percent done,” Hale says. “We encountered some environmental issues upfront that we had to get resolved in the site work before we could begin the building process.”

The company, he notes, is redeveloping a site that was used for mining material and manufacturing bricks. “The grading process involved handling a lot of waste brick, crushed concrete, unsuitable materials and rock on the 50-acre site,” he states.

Staying In Touch

Windsor Commercial has a family oriented environment. “We share each other’s expertise,” Hale says. “We meet weekly to stay involved and in touch with what all the project managers are doing.

“We always pitch in to help each other,” he continues. “We are close knit and we all know what jobs are going on in our business so we can help. When needed, we share resources.”

An essential member of its family is co-owner and President Buddy Seymour, who manages the company’s offices. “He is supportive to everyone in the business,” Hale says.

Ready to Grow

Windsor Commercial plans to expand, Hale says. “I see some pretty solid growth in the commercial construction side for us,” he states, adding that the company will add more people to its staff and grow in terms of size and scope of its projects.

“We would like to maintain a strong pipeline of industrial, medical, multifamily and retail work,” he says. “We’re consistently performing up-fits and renovations for many clients in the retail market.”

Hale predicts the company will take on more retail projects, as well as restaurants and outpatient medical. “We also believe we’ll continue to build warehouse and distribution space,” he adds, noting that this market is growing. “There’s also a great opportunity in medical with the way the medical industry is changing.”